A sudden question struck her, and Elize decided to test it.
“So you want me to throw the ball?”
She had asked her maid, Lucy.
“Yeah.”
“...Why?”
“No reason. Just do it.”
“Hmph. Okay. Here!”
The location was the backyard of the Academy building.
Maid Lucy threw the ball.
Her eyes followed it without even realizing.
“Elize. I threw it.”
“Oh.”
First, she ran after it. Running was fun. Holding the ball felt good. Bringing it back wasn’t so bad either.
“Here it is.”
So, she handed the ball back to Lucy.
“...?”
But why?
It didn’t feel the same as before.
That sensation of fulfillment—gone.
Why?
“Unnie. Throw it one more time.”
“Again? Alright.”
“But this time... hmm...”
Elize furrowed her brow and scratched at her pink hair.
What was the difference between now and before?
“Praise me. Say, ‘Good job~,’ like that.”
“What??”
“Hm?”
“Why the hell would I do that...? Telling someone ‘good job’ for fetching a ball is something you do with a dog.”
“Oh, right?”
It started to feel weird again. But she asked anyway. For praise.
“...Unbelievable. Why am I doing this...? Whatever, fine. Ready?”
“Yep.”
“Here!”
Lucy threw the ball. Elize ran after it and brought it back.
“Uh, um. Good job...!”
“......”
“There, there, you sweet thing. Our little Elize...! Good girl, good girl!”
Lucy was a little confused. She wasn’t sure this was right, but she did it anyway. And while she was at it, she hugged Elize and patted her head—standing on tiptoe because of the height difference.
‘Hmm...’
But Elize thought—
Still, nothing special.
Sure, it felt nice.
Being hugged and patted like that—it felt like she was being cherished, and that was nice, sure.
But... that feeling. That bursting sensation, like fireworks going off inside—
That feeling that made her want to run out and do it again—
That was missing.
‘Why is Professor Dante different...?’
It was the instinctive distinction made by beastkin descendants: between “those who can be Master” and “those who can’t.” But Elize didn’t know that.
All she knew was—today’s lunch was pork ribs.
“Tasty.”
“Right?”
The idea that after eating meat, you’re left with bones—what a stroke of genius.
What had the Empire even been doing until now?
Why had the person who invented this not received the Obel Peace Prize?
***
Joaquin Hilavan.
Graduate of Moonshadow Institute.
After two failed assassination attempts on his first day of work, he grew resentful and plotted a proxy assassination.
Then, even that attempt failed. He was caught. Received Disciplinary Action #9.
He boycotted classes for a while. Then started doing community service diligently to avoid expulsion due to an accumulated penalty of 2.9 points.
That much, I remembered.
【Joaquin: ‘Only now am I finally able to assassinate you.’】
The objective was apparently “Professor Assassination.”
I had thought things might calm down a bit with the semester break, but I was still a professor in the Department of Assassination.
The difference now was—I no longer relied on luck or allowed myself to be helplessly dragged along.
According to the [Mini-map], he was behind me, up in a tree.
I casually started walking.
Tracking his movements.
【Joaquin: ‘Don’t get too close... He might notice, like last time. That can’t happen. I have to put everything I have into this assassination.’】
He was, surprisingly, taking this very seriously.
【Joaquin: ‘Distance, breathing, footwork... focus.’】
【Joaquin: ‘That man’s senses are monstrous.’】
【Joaquin: ‘Stay tense. More tension.’】
It all struck me as rather strange.
What had I yelled at him for back then?
Because he didn’t take the assassination seriously.
But now he was different.
【Joaquin: ‘Today’s the day.’】
【Joaquin: ‘I’ve been waiting for this day.’】
He seemed to have prepared thoroughly.
But what, exactly?
His main specialty was [Stealth], with [Throwing] as support.
If it was throwing... I might need to be a bit careful.
『World Forgery: Form Forgery [Dante]』
As my body was obscured by the tree, I triggered an [Illusion] so a fake Dante would continue walking forward.
And I confirmed what was hanging from his finger.
＊「Reaper Star Ω」-wave Ring [Rare, Stigma]
Surprising. A [Stigma] ring.
And not just any—one from Reaper Star Ω.
‘...The bastard really came prepared.’
Where the hell did he even get that? I browse the auction house regularly and never saw a listing.
Impressive. I had to admit it.
There was a reason for it.
‘Reaper Star Ω is the counter to [Illusion].’
“Reaper Star Ω” symbolizes ‘the End.’ It relates to many things involving endings—
Like Professor Angela’s reaper scythe 「Grim Reaper Ω」.
Or the Empire's spiritual doctrine, “Go World Ω,” which teaches that surrendering one’s heart at the end of suffering leads to liberation.
‘And it carries numerous abilities and options that drastically increase entropy.’
Entropy here means—loss of order.
To rapidly increase entropy is like:
Ink dissolving into water at lightning speed. The heat of the world suddenly becoming uniform.
And vibrations or explosions are among the most efficient entropy triggers.
Those things can obliterate illusions—which are structured magical constructs of extremely fine order—almost instantly.
‘Put simply, the [Stigma Ω] wave emitted from that ring feels like claws endlessly scratching the entire space.’
The moment he activates the Stigma on that ring, any [Illusion] within a certain range will shatter.
Conclusion: Joaquin got that rare ring to nullify my [Illusion].
【Joaquin: ‘I will assassinate you, Professor Dante.’】
But something’s off.
Sure, I specialize in [Illusion]. But publicly, that’s not the only thing I’m known for, right?
People think I’m absurdly powerful—capable of using [Magic] and [Dominion of Blades].
So why does he think breaking just my [Illusion] is enough to kill me?
‘And besides...’
There was one more piece of bad news for Joaquin.
I’d estimated that ring’s output to be around [0.650].
But to shatter my current 『World Forgery』 even with vibration or explosion, he’d need a [Stigma] of at least [1.900].
In other words, even with favorable compatibility, the raw difference in scale means that ring won’t work on me.
‘...Well, doesn’t matter. Whether it works or not. That’s not what’s important right now.’
This is actually good.
I needed more live combat experience anyway.
***
Joaquin had confidence in his [Stealth]. Especially his movement skills while hidden—he considered himself the best in the Moonshadow Institute.
As he moved from tree to tree, one branch remained unnaturally still.
Then his step paused—because Professor Dante had slowed down.
‘Now’s the time.’
At last, when I came to a full stop, the ring activated—Reaper Star Ω’s [Stigma] flared to life.
―― .
A strange hum, and the world began to ripple.
It even scratched at the skin on Joaquin’s cheek and hands.
Now Professor Dante’s [Illusion] was sealed. With full confidence, Joaquin leapt down from the tree.
“This is the end, Professor Dante.”
Cha-ching—
With a pair of seven-fold 「Thunderclap Shuriken」 dangling from both hands, Joaquin spoke.
“You knew I was approaching, it seems. But you didn’t expect my strategy.”
“......”
“Your illusions are now perfectly sealed. And now, I shall begin the assassination. Any last words?”
“......”
Professor Dante turned to face him.
Just like on the first day.
Looking down as if he were some noble [Challenger], or a duke or a king.
But Joaquin had already seen through that act.
“If not, I’ll kill you.”
He didn’t strike immediately because he was curious if Dante had a final statement.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
Joaquin hurled his shuriken like lightning.
And at the same time, he charged using [Footwork].
If Dante dodged, the kick would land. If not, the shuriken would.
Joaquin had no doubts about the combo.
At the end of it—
A fist flew at him.
WHAM!!
His head snapped sideways. Joaquin was sent flying, while Dante had tilted his head to dodge the shuriken.
‘Huh??’
He scrambled to his feet. His mind was going blank.
What the hell? Weren’t his raw stats supposed to be low?
That movement just now—
“Joaquin Hilavan.”
Then Professor Dante spoke.
“Is this a professor assassination?”
With a dazed head, Joaquin did what he always did—flexed his lats to puff up his body. Out of habit.
“Yes. So what. What are you gonna do about it. Huh?”
But right after speaking, something felt off.
Professor Dante’s lips had curled slightly.
Had he... just smiled?
“So it is. A professor assassination.”
Dante moved, lowering his posture.
“Understood.”
And with that, the fight resumed. Joaquin threw shuriken, curved their trajectories, infused them with mana through fine threads. There were small explosions, crackling lightning.
But Professor Dante dodged it all like it was nothing. Deflected, kicked, punched.
Each blow landed heavy. The gap in scale was obvious. His face was splitting. Jaw twisting.
CRACK!
A fist sunk into his gut. “Guhk!” The air left his lungs. A liver shot.
“Kh... Hahk...”
It felt like all his blood was being drained. His head emptied out. He forced himself upright and used [Footwork] to retreat.
Something felt off.
Was it that Dante was strong? That too—but more than that, there was something else.
It felt like illusions flickered in and out. He’d dodge a punch to the right, only for the real punch to hit him from the left.
“...Hah, hah... Fuck... What is this...?”
Shing!
After exhausting all 20 shuriken, Joaquin pulled out a dagger.
But it was hopeless. His level in close-quarters combat was far from great.
Dante walked forward with that noble stride.
Panicked, Joaquin screamed.
“What the hell! What’s going on here!?”
“What.”
This isn’t what the star’s [Revelation] said. Why?
Why is Professor Dante... this strong?
WHAM!
A kick to the face. Joaquin cried out.
“F-Fuck!! P-Professor Dante! How the hell can you fight like this?!”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re weak! Your physical stats suck!! I came here knowing that!!”
“??”
Dante frowned.
Then asked with genuine confusion:
“How would a weak assassin get appointed senior professor?”
“Ah... Th-that’s...”
“You must have been dreaming alone.”
Joaquin’s mouth fell open.
The stars had told him. He had followed it exactly. He had poured months into this assassination.
It wasn’t supposed to fail.
So why was Dante this strong?
“...F-F-Fuck! Don’t mess with me!!”
Joaquin screamed and charged.
Only to be slammed by an invisible wall, his torso crumpling mid-air.
WHAM!
Dante had kicked him in the face.
And even as Joaquin clenched his teeth and lunged dozens more times, each time he was struck—his head snapped, his eye swelled, his nose bled, and his teeth fell out.
“Give it up. Your professor assassination has failed.”
“N-No! I will assassinate you! I will—!!”
With a frenzied shout, he charged.
The next moment, his face was slammed into the dirt.
He tried to lift his head, but the wet earth kissed his cheek again.
The professor was stepping on his head.
“Give it up.”
“N-N—”
Even now, Joaquin tried to resist.
Thunk.
A blade stabbed the ground right before his eyes.
He was so shocked he couldn’t even squeak.
“That’s enough. This has gone too far, Joaquin Hilavan.”
A stern adult voice.
Joaquin’s will broke.
“This is already the third time you’ve raised a blade against me.”
And right after those words—
Joaquin began to feel the unbearable agony of being.
Because he knew what would come next.
Quit class. You’re a lazy worm. He’d insult him. Humiliate him. Crush his pride. That’s what Professor Dante always did.
So he thought.
But then—Dante said:
“You’ve improved.”
Joaquin’s eyes flew open.
...What?
It didn’t make sense.
This was a failure, like before.
But... he’d improved?
“There was sincerity in your assassination. And I gained useful combat experience thanks to you. So I won’t retaliate any further.”
Joaquin, lost in confusion—
Felt something strange.
Could it be...
Professor Dante, as a professor—
All this time... had been saying those things to help him grow as an assassin?
Maybe... he had misunderstood Professor Dante... Maybe he was actually a good—
“Joaquin Hilavan.”
“Y-Yes, sir...”
“You attempted an assassination outside of class time. It was poorly executed, but you admitted it yourself.”
“...Huh?”
Joaquin blinked.
Wait.
That warm feeling... suddenly vanished.
What the—
Something was off.
“You’ll receive a 0.5-point penalty,” Dante said, extending his hand.
“And I’ll be confiscating the ring.”
***
│ㅁㅇ)
│) =3
***
In the end, Joaquin—his ring confiscated—had a thought.
He was an idiot for feeling touched even for a moment.
‘So that’s why he smiled—he was planning to take my ring.’
His insides twisted.
Fucking bastard, Professor Dante!!
‘GRAAAAAAAH!!’
But Joaquin quickly shook off the despair.
Because to give up was to stop being human.
To stop here meant he would never be able to assassinate Dante.
And someday, on his deathbed, with Marina holding his hand, in a moment of eternal rest and peaceful blessing, he knew he’d regret it. That he hadn’t seen that assassination through to the end.
And that would be unacceptable.
“My name is Joaquin Hilavan.”
He smiled like a man and vowed:
“...I will never give up.”
Joaquin’s assassination continues.
Tⓧ BE CONTINUED